Pernod Ricard USA, the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., today announced that, effective July 1, 2014, it will expand its relationship with Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern), the nation's largest spirits and wine distributor, to 33 markets, while further strengthening ties between the two companies.

When the Atlanta wine collector Julian LeCraw Jr. spent $91,400 on a single bottle in 2006, he was convinced that the 1787 vintage from the renowned Chateau d'Yquem in France was worth the lofty price, then the highest ever for a white wine. Now, Mr. LeCraw says he has been left with the bitter aftertaste of a fake

Hope Family Wines has named The Mark Wine Group as their representative for on-premise national accounts. Kevin Eyster, vice-president of sales for Hope Family Wines, says he's thrilled to forge a new relationship to further bolster representation of their diverse portfolio of brands.

Sonoma State Cellars, a wine venture started by students of Sonoma State's Wine Business MBA program, has added an additional industry partner with the Wilson Family and St. Anne's Crossing Winery. Community members are invited to buy wine and be a part of this first release of Sonoma State Cellars Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

It takes two hands to count all the research projects the BC Wine and Grape Council will support thanks to an influx of funding from the Canadian government announced on Earth Day. Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan visited Grey Monk Estate Winery, Tuesday, for a press conference trumpeting a $2 million dedication from the five-year Growing Forward 2 initiative, fostering innovation in agriculture.

The Washington Department of Ecology has released its proposed instream flow rule for the Spokane River. Agricultural impacts are expected to be minimal, says Keith Stoffel, Ecology water program manager in Spokane.

Republican opponents have described the proposal as an "EPA power grab" that would dramatically expand the federal government's oversight over water and impose new burdens on property owners. EPA officials, however, insist the changes would in no way broaden the agency's regulatory authority and would retain - and even expand - exemptions for agriculture.

New research links moderate wine consumption with a lower prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD); and, for those who already have CKD, the study indicates some wine consumption may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Now the buyers at the tastings tend to be considerably younger, and the Instagram tag #birthyearwine has become more common as sommeliers are serving wines as old (or older) than they are. But what has happened to bring this about? What are the factors that have contributed to lowering the age bar in a field that ostensibly values knowledge and experience with wine?

Bob Fraser, adjunct instructor and recently retired head of the Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Studies Program will preside as director for the 2014 Lake County Wine Awards Competition professional judging. He also is associated with the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

Before the Great Recession, the proliferation of local labels, and the Willamette Valley vineyard-land grab, aspiring young winemakers with a bit of experience, a few connections and a decent loan could start up a winery in Oregon and make a go of it. Today, the competition is fierce, the vineyard land isn't available, and small-business loans are much harder to come by.

"The research is very clear: allowing convenience stores to sell beer, wine and hard liquor would lead to harmful consequences in our community," said Jeff Newton, President of Canada's National Brewers.